A rare funky gem from the Chicago scene in the pre-house years – but a set that also might be a crucial bridge between the city's 70s soul and the underground clubs that would soon give the world a new groove! The group have plenty of funk elements in the mix – kind of a tightened-up ... read moreCD
Rufus featuring Chaka Khan —
Rags To Rufus ... CD MCA, 1974. Used ...
Just Sold Out!
One of those records that everyone seemed to own, back in the day – and for good reason, too – as Rufus and Chaka have a way of opening ears of folks who dig so many different styles – from soul to rock to funk and jazz – but all with a groove that's totally their own! The ... read moreCD
Classic smooth soul and jazzy funk from the great Patrice Rushen – a great little overview of her essential sides for Elektra Records! Although Patrice first cut her teeth in the heady fusion scene of the Fantasy label, by the time she moved to Elektra, she'd really tightened up her groove a ... read moreCD
Music beyond description – a unique blend of disco, funk, avant garde, and dub – the wonderful world of the late Arthur Russell! Russell was a bass player by trade, but he was schooled in both classical and Eastern music forms – and brought an incredibly fresh vision to his work ... (Rock, Soul)read moreLP, Vinyl record album
A sweet little live set by Sade – done with the subdued warmth of her later work, but also featuring a few key songs from earlier years! There's a nicely understated quality to the record, in keeping with Sade's own presence – and we're quite pleased to hear how these songs hold up ... read moreCD
Another nice one from Sade – perhaps not as edgey as some of her earlier work, recorded in a slightly smoother style, but still quite nice to our ears – as Sade's always been a pleasure, no matter what the setting! Includes the nicely grooving "Nothing Can Come Between Us", ... read moreCD
One of Sade's greatest cuts ever – a lightly jazzy number with an infectious hook that sounds great rolling over and over again on this excellent 12" version! 12-inch, Vinyl record
One of the funkiest combos we've heard from the African scene of the 70s – and that's saying a lot, given how much great music was going on at the time! These guys really know how to lean into a long song, and open it up with incredible instrumental sharpness – a way of coming together ... (Global Grooves, Soul)read moreLP, Vinyl record album
A really fantastic album of spiritual soul from a San Francisco church in the 70s – one of those rare and sublime albums that's equally appealing to fans of gospel as it is to fans of 70s soul! The arrangements and presentation are great – full of well-crafted grooves that move from ... (Gospel, Soul)read moreCD
A big overview collection of work from the key years of reedman David Sanborn – a player who certainly knew how to hit the heights with the sales of his records, but also had a surprisingly strong, rich career over the years! If you only think of Sanborn as a smooth jazz pioneer, then you'll ... (Jazz, Soul)read moreCD
A seminal bit of crossover disco from the mid 70s – and a record that broke big on its title reworking of The Animals' earlier hit! Leroy Gomez heads the group on vocals and alto sax – and brings a slight Latin flourish to the album – mixing strings with some brassier "Spanis ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Mongo Santamaria —
Soul Bag ... LP Columbia, Late 60s. Very Good ...
$11.99
A stone 60s smoker from Mongo Santmaria – and a great little set that really lives up to its title! The "soul" reference points to the record's host of 60s soul tunes, which are given a hip Latin spin by Mongo – working here with killer boogaloo arrangements from the great ... (Latin, Soul)read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Stereo 360 Sound pressing with deep groove. Cover has light wear.)
Never-heard work from drummer Neftali Santiago – one of the founding forces of legendary funk group Mandrill – working here alone in the mid 70s, during a time when he was taking a break from the group! The music is fantastic – the best sort of 70s funk ensemble mode – ... read moreCD
The complete Tamla and Motown singles of The Satintones – the soul, R&B & popular music juggernaut's first male vocal group – and a treasure trove of rare post doo wop from the end of the 50s/beginning of the 60s! It's fascinating for the history herein – the group is ... read moreCD
Scherrie & Susaye —
Partners ... CD Motown (Japan), 1979. New Copy ...
$13.99
A surprisingly great album from these two former member of The Supremes – Scherrie Payne & Susaye Greene-Brown – put together with production help from Eugene McDaniels, who really helps give the whole thing a hipper spin than some of the girls' more famous work from before! There's ... read moreCD
A really tremendous album from the legendary Gil Scott-Heron – and a set that stands as one of his greatest statements from the 70s! The record is a wonderful example of Gil's work in two different styles – sweet mellow jazzy soul, and harder heavier protest poetry – the latter ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
A really tremendous album from the legendary Gil Scott-Heron – and a set that stands as one of his greatest statements from the 70s! The record is a wonderful example of Gil's work in two different styles – sweet mellow jazzy soul, and harder heavier protest poetry – the latter ... read moreCD
Heavy, soul-baring lyricism delivered with spiritual resonance and wise authority by Gil Scott-Heron – his first album shot in far too many years, and a direct hit – essential listening for longtime listeners and neophytes alike and a well worthy entry in a legendary career! Scott-Heron ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
A set that wasn't initially conceived as a full album by Gil Scott-Heron – but one that's come to be an essential part of his catalog, thanks to the always-relevant title theme! The album's actually a classic collection of work from the early years of Gil Scott-Heron at the Flying Dutchman ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
A fantastic tribute to a fantastic record – one that takes all the core lyrical creations of Gil Scott Heron from I'm New Here, then adds in a wide array of new music from drummer/genius Makaya McCraven! The approach is similar to some of Makaya's own albums – which are both performed ... read moreCD
Scritti Politti —
Provision ... LP Warner, 1988. Very Good ...
$0.99
... LP, Vinyl record album
(Includes the printed inner sleeve. Cover has a promo stamp, a mostly unglued top seam.)
Bobby Seale/Eldridge Cleaver/H Rap Brown —
Huey/Listen Whitey ... CD Folkways, 1972. New Copy Gatefold ...
$12.9916.98
Dialogue excerpts from two early 70s films documenting the shift between the Civil Rights and Black Power eras in the US! Side one is taken from the film Huey – and features Black Panthers Bobby Seale, Eldridge Cleaver and H Rap Brown – plus what sounds like interviews with police and ... (Spoken Word, Soul)read moreCD
(Special limited CD – pressed up for us by the Smithsonian Folkways label. Comes with original cover artwork, and the CD also features a PDF file with the original liner notes and other materials from the original record release.)
A bit more mainstream than the first album from Second Image – but a set that still retains most of the group's charm! The best tracks here are sort of a laidback take on more forceful 80s groove modes – keyboards and basslines that snap nicely, but never go too far over the top – ... read moreCD
A sweet little record from Caiphus Semenya – a South African singer, but one who works here with backings from some top-shelf studio talents in LA – a mix of jazz and fusion players who really bring a great sense of groove to the material! Tracks include two originals co-written with ... (Global Grooves, Soul)read moreLP, Vinyl record album
South African soul from Caiphus Semenya – and a set that's got a nicely righteous, upbeat vibe throughout! Caiphus works here in that best sort of South African style in the decade when the nation's struggles were getting a lot more global attention – showing a spirit that refuses to ... (Global Grooves, Soul)read moreLP, Vinyl record album
George Semper & Others —
Inner City Review ... LP Inner City/ARC (UK), Early 70s. New Copy ...
$37.9938.99
Rare west coast funk, soul, and funky soul – all from the vaults of George Semper – an artist that most folks know from a classic organ jazz record in the 60s, but also a backroom figure behind a range of great soul records on the Cali scene of the 70s! This set is a rare collection of ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
The second smoking Sussex album from guitarist Eddie Senay – and arguably even better than the first! The tracks here are all instrumentals – played with a style that's tight, right, and very on the money – mixed with keyboards from Rudy Robinson, who also arranged the numbers on ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Titles include "Blues In The Night", "And The Angels Sing", "Cry Me A River", "My Funny Valentine", "St Louis Blues", "Stormy Weather", "Sidewinder", "Stardust", "A Night In Tunisia" and more. (Jazz, Soul)LP, Vinyl record album
(In a stickered sleeve, with light sticker remnants.)
Jackie Shane —
Any Other Way ... CD Numero, Late 60s. New Copy 2 CDs ...
$14.9925.98
Fantastic sounds from Jackie Shane – a Canadian soul singer who's achieved a bit of recent fame, due to her legacy as an underground trans figure – but an artist who'd already be a winner, even without such a fascinating back story! Fortunately, both sides of Jackie's life are included ... read moreCD
Well, they certainly got the title right on this one! Dee Dee sings all the hits (or some of them, at least!) in her youthful gutsy soul style. Tracks include "Snap Your Fingers", "Seven Day Weekend", "Playboy", "Don't Play That Song", "Village Of ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
It's an album of Biggest Hits – not necessarily all of them Dee Dee's, but all done in her stormin soul style. Titles include "The Bird", "Mashed Potato Time", "Ride!", "Gravy (For Your Mashed Potatoes)", "Slow Twistin", "I Sold My Heart ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
An amazing batch of sophisticated soul tracks – and a favorite with the righteous groove scene! On the surface, the record's a combination of jazz and soul tracks in the same mode that you'd find on some of Nancy Wilson's albums for Capitol during the same time – but digging deeper, ... read moreCD
Marlena Shaw —
Spice Of Life ... LP Cadet, 1969. New Copy (reissue)...
$22.9924.99
An amazing batch of sophisticated soul tracks – and a favorite with the righteous groove scene! On the surface, the record's a combination of jazz and soul tracks in the same mode that you'd find on some of Nancy Wilson's albums for Capitol during the same time – but digging deeper, ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Huge in Chicago, but not nearly as well-known elsewhere, The Sheppards were one of the windy city's best-ever vocal groups, and they had a rich deep style that spanned the gap between R&B and Soul, in a similar manner to The Impressions. This long-overdue set brings together 25 cuts by the ... read moreCD
A nice small group set from Johnny Shines – featuring Johnny on guitar and vocals, with occasional accompaniment from Sugar Blue on harmonica and Louisiana Red on second guitar! (Blues, Soul)CD
Two albums that were originally put together at a time when The Shirelles were away from the studio – but material that easily stands as some of their best work of the 60s! Swing The Most is beautiful stuff from one of the most soulful 60s pop girl groups – and proof that The Shirelles ... read moreCD
Sho Nuff —
Tonite ... CD Malaco/Ultra Vybe (Japan), 1980. New Copy ...
$13.99
A southern funky nugget from Sho-Nuff – issued at an early 80s point when the Malaco label was open to other modes besides just blues and deep soul! The record's got a tight clubby crackle that feels like something from the New York indie scene of the time – a lean groove that's very ... read moreCD
(Part of the "Malaco – The Truth Of Southern Soul Definitive Collection" series!)
Sho-Nuff deepens their sound nicely for this second set for Malaco Records – still sticking in the lean club funk sound of their debut for the label – but also reaching a bit more on the lyrics and vocals too! Ballads show up a bit more than before, and almost evoke an old school group ... read moreCD
(Part of the "Malaco – The Truth Of Southern Soul Definitive Collection" series!)
Early 80s funky soul from Shock – heavy on the bass and keyboards on the funky cuts, but nicely smooth and restrained on the mellower numbers. Billy Bradford is on lead vocals, a bit like a member of the P-Funk crew at times – but sweet and mellow, and even better sounding on the ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Cover has some edge wear and a bent corner at the bottom right.)
Side Effect —
What You Need ... CD Fantasy/BGP (UK), 1976. New Copy ...
$8.9914.99
Quite possibly the greatest album ever from Side Effect – a wonderful set that mixes their soulful harmonies with some killer jazz funk from Wayne Henderson! The album may be the most perfect realization of the groove that Henderson was going for during his At Home Productions years – ... read moreCD
The title's a bit strange – given that Bunny Sigler started out as a soul singer in the late 60s, and continued to record well into the 70s too – yet it's also a reminder that by the time of this set, Sigler had become a real powerhouse on the Philly club scene – working as a ... read moreCD
(Part of the Salsoul Records Original Master Collecion!)
A killer soul album from Philly – and one that often gets overlooked! The group's a smooth harmony combo with a nice modern finish – perfectly showing the mode that Philly was hitting after the disco years, one that would show that Gamble & Huff still had their ears open to new and ... read moreCD
A huge breakout moment for disco in the 70s – the first album from Silver Convention, a very early example of the European power on the club scene! The group's the brainchild of arranger Sylvester Levay and producer Michael Kunze – who come up with some great German disco rhythms for ... read moreCD
Amazing is right – as Nina Simone is really taking off here – showing the world that she's way more than just another jazz singer – able to hit some righteous currents that would only explode even more in years to come! Nina's emotion is subtle, but extremely powerful – ... (Vocalists, Soul)read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(180 gram EU pressing on DOL in a gatefold cover.)
A fantastic relic of Nina Simone's greatness! The album is a rare promo-only 1970 album put out by RCA – featuring an interview with Nina, mixed with music pulled from some of her RCA albums. It's packaged in a cool gatefold cover, with great paper and a cool insert in the middle too! It's ... (Vocalists, Soul)read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Comes with a radio script and a letter from RCA, which has a small fold on the edge. Cover has a bit of light wear.)
An overlooked album from the legendary Nina Simone – recorded in Paris in the early 80s, and not circulated as much as some of her records from the 60s and 70s – but every bit as compelling in its own sort of way! Nina's working here with a greater array of global elements than on ... (Vocalists, Soul)read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Nina's folsky, but she's also jazzy too – and the album's from a key time in which she was finding a very special way to bring the two modes together! Simone could have been a straight jazz singer if she wanted – but as records like this always remind us, she was always striving for ... (Vocalists, Soul)read moreLP, Vinyl record album
A cool 80s set from Nina Simone – recorded live in spare trio formation, with a sound that's a lot more old school than you might guess from the date! Nina's piano has this nicely broken-down quality – almost a raspy edge that complements her unique vocals nicely, and quite different ... (Vocalists, Soul)read moreCD
(Out of print, first CD pressing. Booklet is missing a small section along the spine and has another small tear along the top edge.)
A classic set of early jazz recordings by Nina Simone – one of her first albums ever, but already with an approach that's quite different from other singers of the time! Nina's singing a fair bit of standards here, but she brings a deeply personal approach to the material – inflecting ... (Vocalists, Soul)read moreCD
(Out of print early CD pressing. Booklet has light age spots.)
A key early moment for Nina Simone – recorded live at Newport in 1960, at a time when the festival was one of the most important showcases for groundbreaking jazz – and a perfect setting for Nina to really let loose in that righteous style that would fuel her career during the 60s! ... (Vocalists, Soul)read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(180 gram EU pressing on DOL in a gatefold cover.)
Nina sings Ellington – but as always, she makes whatever she sings all her own! The album's a bit straighter than later efforts – with large backings by Stu Phillips that also feature vocals by the Malcolm Dodds Singers – but Nina also conceived the whole thing herself, as an ... (Vocalists, Soul)read moreCD
Soul stirring group gospel from the Singing Southern Echos Of Memphis (it's spelled 'Echos' on the spine, folks) – with soaring lead and spirited backing vocals form this Memphis combo! We're not sure of the recorded vintage, but it's wonderful stuff – ranging from slow rolling ... (Gospel, Soul)read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Sisters Love —
With Love ... CD MoWest/Reel Music/P&C, Early 70s. Used ...
$9.99
The incredible lost album from the group Sisters Love – material slated for release in the early 70s, but never saw the light of day, save for a handful of singles – a mix of rootsier southern soul and impeccable west coast funk styles, finally brought to light and with bonus tracks, ... read moreCD
(Out of print. Still sealed with a punch through the barcode.)
A great little funky rock group – one we only know from this mid 70s record – a sharp little set that should have gone on to be their big calling card over the years! The group sports some amazing guitar interplay – almost as bold as some of the bigger rock fusion efforts of the ... (Rock, Soul)read moreCD
15 bass-heavy classics from the band that virtually invented the 80s groove sound! The set's a good selection of tracks from Slave's classic Cotillion albums from the late 70s, and it also includes 5 tracks from bandmember Steve Arrington, who went on to record with his Hall Of Fame group during ... read moreCD
Post-Atlantic work from Percy Sledge, but a set that's still pretty darn great – produced with a newly sophisticated edge in Muscle Shoals by the legendary Quin Ivy, who really seems bent on helping Sledge break out of earlier styles in his music! That undeniably great Sledge vocal approach ... read moreCD
Live Go Go with a bit of a more mainstream R&B slant to the songwriting, but solid syncopated Go Go rhythms underneath it all. Though you might be led to believe this album was recorded live, it sounds much more like a studio album that's segued like a live set, with some overdubbed crowd ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
Classic funkiness from Sly & The Family Stone – an album that really pushed them to the top of their game, and exploded on the late 60s scene like a righteous funky bomb! The title cut's a mega-hit that you'll recognize right away – but the whole album's great, and is filled with ... read moreLP, Vinyl record album
(Yellow label pressing. Cover has clear tape remnants and some marks from removal along the opening.)
Sly & The Family Stone —
Fresh ... CD Epic, Early 70s. Used ...
$3.99
Sly's leaping into the air on the cover of this one – and for good reason too, given the overall groove of the set! The album's a bit more stripped-down and upbeat than the previous few – almost more of a return to the simple funky style of the first albums, but with a slightly more ... read moreCD
Almost a "greatest hits" of greatest hits albums – one of those collections that almost sold more copies than all the full albums by the artist – forever earning Sly & The Family Stone a place in record collections around the globe! All the hits are here, laid out back to ... read moreCD